Are you planning to park your new RV in campgrounds for the most part when you’re traveling around in it? If so, they’ll typically have electrical hookups you can use to power up your RV’s heating and cooling system as well as its appliances and more. But what about when you aren’t parked at one of these campgrounds? You may be wondering if you’ll still be able to use these systems and appliances while staying in your RV.
You’ll be happy to hear that you can use them thanks to the propane tanks and propane systems that you’ll find in most modern-day RVs. A propane tank will really come in handy when you hit the road in an RV for the first time and decide to park in places that don’t have electrical hookups. Check out our beginner’s guide to propane tanks below.
Do All RVs Come With Propane Tanks?
There are some smaller RVs that don’t come with propane tanks in them. But generally speaking, you’ll find that most of the newer RVs on the road today will have propane tanks in them. Propane tanks are typically used in RVs because propane is on the cheaper side compared to other fuel sources. They’re also often used because propane is readily available at most gas stations and campgrounds. It should make it simple enough for you to fill up your RV’s propane tank in no time when you need to do it.
What Are Propane Tanks in RVs Used For?
Propane tanks can be used for so many different things in RVs. Because you aren’t going to be hooked up to an electrical source all the time when you’re riding around in an RV, your propane tank can be used for cooking all your meals. It can also help keep your heating system turned on when it gets cold outside.
You can even use it to keep your refrigerator turned on all the time. You’ll want to avoid using propane unnecessarily to prevent it from running out too quickly, but you’ll find that it’ll be very helpful in many situations when you’re in an RV.
How Large Are Propane Tanks in RVs?
Propane tanks don’t come in a one-size-fits-all option when it comes to RVs. There are some RVs that only have 20-pound propane tanks. There are others that have propane tanks that are 100 pounds. The size of the propane tank in an RV will usually correlate with the size of the RV itself. If an RV is very big, it’ll probably have a lot of things inside it that could theoretically run on propane. So, RVs like this will have big propane tanks that won’t need to be refilled as frequently as smaller ones.
How Long Do Propane Tanks in RVs Last?
If you invest in an RV that has a propane tank, it’ll be very important for you to monitor its age. Propane tanks will need to be replaced at some point. In most cases, you can find a manufacturing date stamped right on the side of a propane tank in an RV so that you can tell how old it is. Once it reaches the 12-year mark, you’ll need to look into either having the propane tank recertified or possibly even replaced altogether.
As the propane tanks in RVs get up there in age, they’re going to start to exhibit different signs of wear and tear. You might put yourself and your fellow RV passengers into a dangerous situation if you continue to push a propane tank too far past its expiration date without looking into having it recertified or replaced.
What Maintenance Must Be Done to Propane Tanks in RVs?
Keeping a close eye on the age of your RV’s propane tank and having it recertified or replaced accordingly will be one of the most important maintenance steps you’ll take with it. There will, however, be other steps you’ll need to take to keep the propane tank and propane system in an RV working the way they should. For starters, you’ll need to either buy a gauge for it or use the gauge that came with it to monitor how much propane it has left at any given time.
It’ll help you keep it filled up and not leave you stranded. You’ll also want to do things like bleed the lines in your propane system from time to time and take your RV in for service if you ever smell gas coming from it. The last thing you want to do is allow a propane leak to linger for too long because it could put you and others in harm’s way when you’re traveling around in your RV.
Can You Use the Propane Tank in an RV All the Time?
While having a propane tank in your RV will be great when you need to use propane for things like cooking or heating, you should try not to get into the habit of relying on it all the time. You should do most of your cooking and heating when you’re parked in a campground with your RV connected to an electrical source. It’ll cut down on how much propane you’re using in your RV and reduce your overall RVing costs. It’ll also help prevent unnecessary issues with your propane tank and system from popping up.
Pick Out an RV With a Big Enough Propane Tank
When you’re shopping for a new RV, you should pay close attention to the different size options that are available for propane tanks. Ideally, you’ll want an RV that has a propane tank big enough to meet all your needs. Bretz RV & Marine can show you a variety of RVs and help you select the one that’ll check all the right boxes for you. We can also answer any questions you may have about the propane tanks. Contact us today at one of our Montana or Idaho locations to speak with someone about our wide selection of RVs.
PROPANE by SoulRider.222 is licensed with CC BY-ND 2.0
